Phuket Scuba Club Dive Blog

Update on Per and Chantale Siversen

2008-07-24T01:00:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to club members Chantale and Per on their recent wedding ceremony held in South Africa. Being happy global trotters their wedding reception was later held in Toronto.

Well respected Swedish/English PADI Scuba Instructor Per Siversen worked with Phuket Scuba Club for about 2 years. Per met Chantal and her family through the club and had the pleasure :)) of teaching them how to dive.

This is living proof that there is some magic mistletoe hidden somewhere in the club.

We wish them a very bright future together and hope to see them back here in Kata again someday soon.

Sunset Wedding on Kata Beach

2008-06-23T02:44:00.000-07:00

Yesterday we witnessed a touching small Wedding on Kata Beach as the sun went down.

It was directly on the beach in front of Mom Tri's Boathouse.

The reception was held at the Boathouse and needless to say the Bride, Groom and all the guests were glamorously attired.

The location was perfect with a lovely sunset and Khun Cee played the Khim a traditional Thai and Chinese Musical Instrument. It is made of wood with numerous strings and is played with two bamboo sticks.

Khun Cee makes our delicious pies when not playing the instrument.

Lamyai's new Pal

2008-06-21T23:16:00.000-07:00

Cheeky gibbon Lamyai at the Kok Chang Elephant Safari has a new friend. She absolutely adores this new addition to the family.

The kitten's name is Kallot.

Kok Chang is located near the Viewpoint in Kata and they offer elephant trekking as well as have a pleasant outdoor bar on the premises. The gibbons, dogs and cats love hanging out there as they are very social and love to meet the guests. The gibbons Charlie and Lamyai live freely up in the mountains and at no time are they chained up nor forced to perform tricks.

For more pics of these cute gibbons refer to this website.

Diving Conditions June 2008

2008-06-21T01:25:00.000-07:00

What perfect conditions we are currently having for diving during the low /green season. Here you can see Phi Phi in the background.

Presently the weather is hot and sunny with scattered showers which is really appreciated as it cools things down a bit.

The viz has generally been great and we are seeing more of the bigger pelagics. We have had Whaleshark sightings at Sharkpoint, the King Cruiser Wreck, Phi Phi and even Koh Racha Yai (which is most unusual)!!!

Life Home Project Fundraiser Dinners

2008-06-17T01:17:00.000-07:00

Here are some more pics from the last Sunday Fundraiser for the women and children suffering from Aids at The Life Home Project.

We started off with Sundowners at 6:00pm on the roof top of The Pacific Club and Spa Resort. It was very relaxing listening to Glenn playing his guitar and singing.

Afterwards we went down the the dining room where the sumptious Buffet was served. Khun Nattaya from The Life Home Project was there with a display of craft products for sale made by the women and children. We handed over 14 000 baht which we collected over the past few Fundraisers. This is just a beginning as we intend to raise more funds in the future as we hope that these evenings will catch on and become more popular.

Underwater Honeymoon Couple

2008-06-12T01:16:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to Honeymooners Matthew and Morgan from Washington DC, USA for completing their Open Water and Advanced Courses with the club recently.

left: before
below: after

Wishing you both a happy future with plenty of amazing dives together!

Phuket International Rugby Ten's

2008-06-02T00:47:00.000-07:00

This weekend we enjoyed watching the 10th Overgaard Phuket International Rugby Ten's held at the Karon stadium. Each year the tournament has grown from strength to strength and this year 42 teams played of including our very own Phuket Vagabonds aka as the Viagrabonds!

The Charity supported is the Asia Center Foundation.The purpose is to raise scholarship funds for orphans amongst them many children who lost their parents in the 2004 Tsunami. The children attended the rugby and here you can see them sporting their white t shirts.

We had 3 days of rugby, music, beers, hamburgers and hotdogs (it certainly felt like we were back in South Africa).

The Kukri Badgers from the UK beat the Loki Odins from Canberra by 12-5 and the Thai Barbarians won the Plate competition by defeating the Singapore Wanderers 19-0.

All in all it was 3 days of great entertainment and on the last day we watched the local Thai School Marching Band.

As of today 650 000 baht was raised and still counting!

A Must for Friday Evenings

2008-06-02T00:25:00.000-07:00

On Friday nights Glenn and Rob - members of The Groove Doctors play acoustic R &B at the Friendship Beach Bungalow Resort It is a great way to spend the evening outdoors.

The venue is in a lovely garden setting with swimming pool overlooking Chalong Bay. Not only is this Resort in a great location but the cuisine also deserves great merit: the menu covers Thai, Western and European dishes and amongst our favourites are the marinated Spare Ribs. They are truly delicious and our furry friends at home get to enjoy their fair share afterwards.

Sunday Fundraisers

2008-05-27T03:02:00.000-07:00

Every Sunday Fundraiser Dinners are held at The Pacific Club Spa and Resort in Karon. The benefactors are The Life Home Project which is an organisation dedicated to helping women and children living with AIDS.

The evening starts with Sundowners around the roof top pool. The views are stunning providing great sunset photo opportunities. In the background here you can see one of the club's favourite local dive sites - Koh Pu or Crab island.

The first Fundraiser dinner went off well despite the unexpected power failure. This gave people the opportunity to sing-a -long with Musician Glenn Fleagle who plays with Phuket's popular R & B group The Groo ve Doctors. Here is proof of Diving Instructor Rachel aka Steamboat Filly taking full advantage of exercising her vocal chords.

With Kevan and company listening on very attentively.

Popular Phuket Restaurateur and owner of the Pacific Resort, Eric Conger and his Crew go out of their way to provide superb buffets with all the trimmings. Adults 600 baht per head and children under 13 half price. This includes full use of the Resort facilities: sauna, swimming pool,
table tennis, gymnasium inc. locker rooms for storage and towel. Live entertainment is also provided.

Update on Joel

2008-05-21T23:12:00.000-07:00

SSI Instructor Joel is halfway through his Offshore Occupational Diving Course at The Underwater Centre in Tasmania.

Recent email from Joel: "Now we are half way through part 2 it's getting easier to set the divesite up as we can all put the hats, comms, panels, surface supply compressors & hyperbaric chambers together, our experience levels are getting quicker & better. Rescue training as standby divers was tough, we had to get our full face hats on & be in the water from the pontoon seat within 7 seconds & get down to 15 metres depth find a hiding diver, flush their hat & bring them to the surface within 1 min 30 seconds, while giving a running commentary over the comms with a video camera bolted on top of our hats!!!!"

Sunset off Kata Beach April 2008

2008-04-28T01:05:00.000-07:00

This lovely sunset pic was taken off Kata Beach 2 days ago by Michele Scarpa from Switzerland. Michele is presently diving with us and is the only person we know who has been diving for over 45 years. She is a complete diveaholic!

Koh Pu or Crab island is featured in the background. This island located only 5 minutes away by longtail boat is 1 of our favourite local dive sites.

St George's Day Supper at The Green Man!

2008-04-25T03:45:00.001-07:00

On Wednesday 23rd we celebrated Saint George's Day with a lavish dinner and recitations at The Green Man.

Some of us discovered (Rachel "Steamboat Filly" and Simon for example) that we are really great vocalists whilst some discovered they were less fortunate (won't mention who).

Here you can see Howard reciting his rendition of Albert and The Lion.
by Marriott Edgar.

Supper consisted of a Smoked Salmon Starter, Pea & Ham Soup, Steak & Kidney Pudding followed by Summer Pudding. Needless to say copious quantities of alcohol were consumed as well. We all left in very good spirits.

Thanks to Howard, Khun Nui and their crew for a wonderful evening. Nothing lacked in the decor, dinner and the entertainment!

Sawatdee Bpee Mai!

2008-04-25T03:06:00.000-07:00

Every year we celebrate 3 New Years. The Western New Year, Chinese New Year and the Thai New Year or Songkran. This is known as The Water Festival and starts every year on the 13th April. This festival can last for anything between 3 days to a week depending on what part of Thailand. Here in Kata, Phuket we celebrate it for only 1 day.

This tradition of gently pouring water over each other is to wash away the bad luck and to wish good luck and prosperity.

It is not always gentle and many people hurl coloured or iced water over the crowds. Here you can see our neighbour's daughter - Jaa - being very mean with her water pistol. Actually she is really an Angel. Always happy and smiling.

This year we were boring and went to our local watering hole for a traditional lunch. Old Club Member (not in age) Greg Pancerev from the USA was there to join us and he took these lovely pics. Greg did his Open Water Course with us 10 years ago and completed his Advanced course a couple of years ago.

On the left is his photo of a Scorpion Fish and below a Mantis Shrimp peeking out from his home. Both photos taken recently at Koh Doc Mai.

Simon's Big Four O

2008-04-18T00:33:00.001-07:00

We had a great evening at Simon's 40th birthday bash. The party was held at a newly opened venue in Kata - the Tapas and Wine Bar. Phuket's first Tapas bar.

Owner Mona Fristedt who has worked in the Diving Industry for many years made a delicious Smorgastorta (Swedish savoury cake) for Simon. Delicious!

In the above pic Simon is seen chatting with Frank the Tank whilst Mona is slicing the cake for all the eager guests.

Happy Scuba Diver!

2008-04-18T00:09:00.000-07:00

Congratulations to 10 year old Nikolai from Norway. He has just been certified as a Scuba Diver!
Here he is seen with his Instructor Rachel and Divemaster Candidate Hon from Malaysia.

Free Dental work at The Similans!

2008-04-07T00:08:00.000-07:00

No need to go to the Dentist anymore. Come and dive with us at The Similans and let the resident Cleaner Wrasse clean your teeth.

Here diver Jools took his own photograph whilst the Wrasse was doing it's hard work.

Jools and his wife Brenda recently returned from an enjoyable trip on MV Daranee.

SSI Instructor Trainer - Simon Speight

2008-03-28T02:54:00.000-07:00

For those of you who have been wanting to do the SSI Cross Over check out Instructor Trainer Simon Speight's new website at www.ssi-phuket.com

Simon has been working on a off with the club for 12 years. He has taught 1000's of people how to dive and has been an SSI Instructor Trainer for over 5 years.

Another Divemonster!

2008-03-03T01:21:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to Claire Li from Guangzhou China for successfully passing her Divemaster Course at the club.

Here she is seen celebrating her graduation by scoffing her favourite food. Pizza with double cheese and salami.

She is so much part of the club and the team will really miss her. Wishing Claire all the very best with her future ventures.

Giant Jellyfish

2008-02-21T22:38:00.001-08:00

Paula Piilonen from Canada found this new dive buddy recently at Sharkpoint.

It seems that we have created a Divemonster with Paula. She did her Open Water Course with the club and was so impressed with scuba diving that she went on to complete her Advanced Course with Joel.

Well done Paula and wishing you many happy dives. Hope to see you soon again.

Ice Swimming in Sweden

2008-02-15T03:53:00.002-08:00

Whilst Marcus Harlin was ice swimming in Sweden, his parents Brigitte and Anders were diving with Mantas in the much warmer waters of Thailand at the southern islands Hin Daeng/Hin Muang. Marcus stayed in the freezing water for 6 minutes! The water temperature was 5 degrees celcius and the location was Backetjarn, Torpshammer.

Marcus did his PADI Junior Open Water Course with Phuket Scuba Club in 1998 and over the years returned to the club to continue on to Master Scuba Diver level.

Well done Marcus - you are much braver than us! We know that you have been wanting to do this for years.

Sharkpoint February 2008

2008-02-13T03:02:00.000-08:00

Instructor/Photographer Joel Tomalin was amazed to see this huge 2.5+ metre Banded Sea Snake eating a Moray Eel at Sharkpoint recently.

Getting Caught Short on The Wreck

2008-01-16T23:31:00.001-08:00

We all know that there are 2 types of divers - those that pee in their wetsuits and those that lie about it.

According to Phuket Scuba Club members Frank and Lone these were not the worst toilets they have seen in Thailand. :)) Here they are pictured on the stern of the King Cruiser Wreck

And diving on New Year's day

2008-01-03T02:03:00.001-08:00

Instructors Andre and Rachel with Divemaster Candidate James with their bunch of Discover Scuba Divers from Sweden getting ready at our Karon beach branch for their first dive.

Happy New Year!

2008-01-03T01:19:00.000-08:00

And of course more festivities to see the New Year in. We had our traditional party at Kata Pen Seafood on Kata Beach. Delicious Thai food was served by Pen and her staff and as midnight approached we watched the spectacular fireworks displays put on by the Hotels in the area. Needless to say we enjoyed copious quantities of refreshments.

Pictured on the right is Pen's Daughter Ring. She is the owner of the very popular Ska Bar under the big tree on the southern end of Kata Beach.

The beach was packed with party animals and great fun was had by all. Kata Beach is by far our favourite beach on Phuket for celebrating New Year's Eve.

Club's Christmas lunch 2007

2008-01-03T01:04:00.000-08:00

After the diving in the morning we closed the club at midday to enjoy a traditional Christmas lunch with all the trimmings. This is the only time of the year that the club is closed during the day. This year we had 32 staff members, customers and friends join us to enjoy the festivities. Later on we shared a lovely bottle of Port with truly aged Stilton Cheese (thanks to Tanya).

Pictured above is Instructor Joel with Santa's Little Helpers with Simon in the background looking on enviously.

We hope that all our friends out there in the real world had a very happy Christmas!